YOUR OPINION

Letters to the Editor for March 11

Published: Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 8:49 p.m.

Who are these people? Who are these people who rebuke those who do not agree with them, or do not admire the same politicians?

Typical is the letter “Love it or leave it” in the March 3 Star-Banner. It consists almost entirely of accusations and insults directed at any who dare oppose the writer's viewpoints.

The first target is socialism, which, like “liberal,” is a catch-all for whatever the writer disdains. Then, those who dispute the qualifications of Sarah Palin are said to “hate” the woman. Apparently, disagreement and hatred are synonymous in the writer's mind.

Next, we encounter the “Christian nation” hooey. If the man means that Christians have played a very significant role in the country's history, fine. If he means we were founded as a Christian nation, he is simply wrong. We were deliberately founded as a secular nation in which all religions are welcome, and none paramount. Further, there is no mention of Jesus or any Christian dogma in the Constitution or Bill of Rights. None.

President Obama is accused of lies, and (dare I say it?) the use of a Teleprompter. (The horror! The horror!). Additionally, the writer strongly suggests that responsibility for the nation's huge debt is solely this administration's. By inference, the previous administration's tax cuts and wars played no part in the national debt.

The writer is incensed that many find the Tea Party amusing. This attitude is a no-no and indicates “total ignorance” of the subject. And finally, we get a swipe at “liberals/progressives,” followed by the traditional challenge: America, love it or leave it.

Oddly, the writer's love of country seems to be demonstrated by setting up numerous straw men and pummeling the curds and whey out of them. Which is hardly unusual from the writer's side of the political spectrum. But surely he can attack straw men with less shouting and arm-waving. Such behavior is uncivil, and often frightens the horses.

Dave Hanson, Ocala

Ridiculous arrest

I'd like to state that Mathew Pye's arrest is absolutely ridiculous, for starters.

Once confirmed by his theater professor, shouldn't all charges be dropped, once the finding of its authenticity is completely false?

His arrest is simply just publicity for OPD, to earn needed money from the county at the expense of a student who has done nothing wrongful.

The money is completely filthy, the publicity is dirty, and the arrest is repulsive.

Ally Bukrym, Ocala

Free Pye

Regarding the arrest of Mathew Pye: This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. This young man was doing a required project for a theater class at UCF. He is a theater major, and it was required for his theater class. The prop was made of cardboard and paper.

Once the police found out what it was, the charges should have been dropped right then and there. There was nothing attached to it that even resembled bomb materials. If anyone thinks of prosecuting this case, they are insane.

Let this young man go with no charges. I have never heard of a more ridiculous event.

Donna Haines, Winter Springs

Alternate reality

How dumb can an “A” student be? Dumb enough to live in some kind of alternate reality where terrorism never happened.

This student needs a reality check. For that matter, so does his professor. While a possible prison sentence of 15 years is overkill, I believe a month or so in the gray-bar hotel will wake this kid up.

A movie theater might be considered a “soft target” by any terrorist, as would shopping malls and anyplace where large groups of people gather. Yes, this was a stupid mistake but don't think a more realistic version has not been thought of by those who actually plan us harm.

It seems the younger teens who found the fake bomb have much more on the ball than this “A” student with his head in the clouds. Kudos to them.

Frank Vanis, Ocala

Weapons check needed

As a Gainesville resident and an employee on campus, I find the story of Kofi Adu-Brempong startling. Here is a man who was suffering from what, by all accounts, appears to be a psychotic break — one policeman on the scene should have been aware of it due to a visit to Kofi's home on that Monday — and the situation was handled (I think we can all agree) very poorly.

First off, can someone please explain why there are automatic weapons on campus? If there seems to be a need for such ordinance, then why can't the GPD be summoned?

I realize that these weapons are in the hands of the UFPD, but after this incident, it hardly makes me feel safe. I remember when the University of Arizona adopted assault rifles for their campus policeman; the reasoning was that these rifles were more accurate at longer ranges. I honestly saw no reason for it back then, and I still see no reason for it now.

The idea of automatic weapons on campus, in anyone's hands, is just worrisome. My hope is that after this tragedy the community will rise up together and ask for an investigation into whether these dangerous weapons are even needed on campus at all.

Francis Bousho, Gainesville

Save Pine Oaks

I just wanted to add my opinion about what to do with the Pine Oaks Golf Course. The city should try and sell it to some of the public. That way it can stay open.

My husband tries to play golf when he can get time off from work, and Pine Oaks is close to where we live. We do not have a car, so we have to rely on public transportation, and that is not very fun.

<p><b>An opposing view</b></p><p>Who are these people? Who are these people who rebuke those who do not agree with them, or do not admire the same politicians?</p><p>Typical is the letter “Love it or leave it” in the March 3 Star-Banner. It consists almost entirely of accusations and insults directed at any who dare oppose the writer's viewpoints.</p><p>The first target is socialism, which, like “liberal,” is a catch-all for whatever the writer disdains. Then, those who dispute the qualifications of Sarah Palin are said to “hate” the woman. Apparently, disagreement and hatred are synonymous in the writer's mind.</p><p>Next, we encounter the “Christian nation” hooey. If the man means that Christians have played a very significant role in the country's history, fine. If he means we were founded as a Christian nation, he is simply wrong. We were deliberately founded as a secular nation in which all religions are welcome, and none paramount. Further, there is no mention of Jesus or any Christian dogma in the Constitution or Bill of Rights. None.</p><p>President Obama is accused of lies, and (dare I say it?) the use of a Teleprompter. (The horror! The horror!). Additionally, the writer strongly suggests that responsibility for the nation's huge debt is solely this administration's. By inference, the previous administration's tax cuts and wars played no part in the national debt.</p><p>The writer is incensed that many find the Tea Party amusing. This attitude is a no-no and indicates “total ignorance” of the subject. And finally, we get a swipe at “liberals/progressives,” followed by the traditional challenge: America, love it or leave it.</p><p>Oddly, the writer's love of country seems to be demonstrated by setting up numerous straw men and pummeling the curds and whey out of them. Which is hardly unusual from the writer's side of the political spectrum. But surely he can attack straw men with less shouting and arm-waving. Such behavior is uncivil, and often frightens the horses.</p><p><i>Dave Hanson, Ocala</i></p><p><b>Ridiculous arrest</b></p><p>I'd like to state that Mathew Pye's arrest is absolutely ridiculous, for starters.</p><p>Once confirmed by his theater professor, shouldn't all charges be dropped, once the finding of its authenticity is completely false?</p><p>His arrest is simply just publicity for OPD, to earn needed money from the county at the expense of a student who has done nothing wrongful.</p><p>The money is completely filthy, the publicity is dirty, and the arrest is repulsive.</p><p><i>Ally Bukrym, Ocala</i></p><p><b>Free Pye</b></p><p>Regarding the arrest of Mathew Pye: This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. This young man was doing a required project for a theater class at UCF. He is a theater major, and it was required for his theater class. The prop was made of cardboard and paper.</p><p>Once the police found out what it was, the charges should have been dropped right then and there. There was nothing attached to it that even resembled bomb materials. If anyone thinks of prosecuting this case, they are insane.</p><p>Let this young man go with no charges. I have never heard of a more ridiculous event.</p><p><i>Donna Haines, Winter Springs</i></p><p><b>Alternate reality</b></p><p>How dumb can an “A” student be? Dumb enough to live in some kind of alternate reality where terrorism never happened.</p><p>This student needs a reality check. For that matter, so does his professor. While a possible prison sentence of 15 years is overkill, I believe a month or so in the gray-bar hotel will wake this kid up.</p><p>A movie theater might be considered a “soft target” by any terrorist, as would shopping malls and anyplace where large groups of people gather. Yes, this was a stupid mistake but don't think a more realistic version has not been thought of by those who actually plan us harm.</p><p>It seems the younger teens who found the fake bomb have much more on the ball than this “A” student with his head in the clouds. Kudos to them.</p><p><i>Frank Vanis, Ocala</i></p><p><b>Weapons check needed</b></p><p>As a Gainesville resident and an employee on campus, I find the story of Kofi Adu-Brempong startling. Here is a man who was suffering from what, by all accounts, appears to be a psychotic break — one policeman on the scene should have been aware of it due to a visit to Kofi's home on that Monday — and the situation was handled (I think we can all agree) very poorly.</p><p>First off, can someone please explain why there are automatic weapons on campus? If there seems to be a need for such ordinance, then why can't the GPD be summoned?</p><p>I realize that these weapons are in the hands of the UFPD, but after this incident, it hardly makes me feel safe. I remember when the University of Arizona adopted assault rifles for their campus policeman; the reasoning was that these rifles were more accurate at longer ranges. I honestly saw no reason for it back then, and I still see no reason for it now.</p><p>The idea of automatic weapons on campus, in anyone's hands, is just worrisome. My hope is that after this tragedy the community will rise up together and ask for an investigation into whether these dangerous weapons are even needed on campus at all.</p><p><i>Francis Bousho, Gainesville</i></p><p><b>Save Pine Oaks</b></p><p>I just wanted to add my opinion about what to do with the Pine Oaks Golf Course. The city should try and sell it to some of the public. That way it can stay open.</p><p>My husband tries to play golf when he can get time off from work, and Pine Oaks is close to where we live. We do not have a car, so we have to rely on public transportation, and that is not very fun.</p><p><i>Catherine Wood, Ocala</i></p>